adies who succeeded
the second viscount in the government of this mansion. Round the
terrace-garden was a low wall with a wicket leading to the wooded height
beyond, that is called Cromwell's Battery to this day.

Young Harry Esmond learned the domestic part of his duty, which was easy
enough, from the groom of her ladyship's chamber: serving the Countess,
as the custom commonly was in his boyhood, as page, waiting at
her chair, bringing her scented water and the silver basin after
dinner--sitting on her carriage-step on state occasions, or on public
days introducing her company to her. This was chiefly of the Catholic
gentry, of whom there were a pretty many in the country and neighboring
city; and who rode not seldom to Castlewood to partake of the
hospitalities there. In the second year of their residence, the company
seemed especially to increase. My lord and my lady were seldom without
visitors, in whose society it was curious to contrast the difference
of behavior between Father Holt, the director of the family, and Doctor
Tusher, the rector of the parish--Mr. Holt moving amongst the very
highest as quite their equal, and as commanding them all; while poor
Doctor Tusher, whose position was indeed a difficult one, having been
chaplain once to the Hall, and still to the Protestant servants there,
seemed more like an usher than an equal, and always rose to go away
after the first course.

Also there came in these times to Father Holt many private visitors,
whom, after a little, Henry Esmond had little difficulty in recognizing
as ecclesiastics of the Father's persuasion, whatever their dresses
(and they adopted all) might be. These were closeted with the Father
constantly, and often came and rode away without paying their devoirs to
my lord and lady--to the lady and lord rather--his lordship being little
more than a cipher in the house, and entirely under his domineering
partner. A little fowling, a little hunting, a great deal of sleep, and
a long dine at cards and table, carried through one day after another
with his lordship. When meetings took place in this second year, which
often would happen with closed doors, the page found my lord's sheet of
paper scribbled over with dogs and horses, and 'twas said he had much
ado to keep himself awake at these councils: the Countess ruling over
them, and he acting as little more than her secretary.

Father Holt began speedily to be so much occupied with these meetings
as